Orioles capitalize early in 10-2 win over Tri-County Sundogs

The Lennox High School baseball team used a strong early offensive surge and dominant pitching to defeat the Tri-County Sundogs, 10-2, on Tuesday, March 31.

Lennox set the tone immediately after escaping a first-inning threat. Starting pitcher Mason Reischl struck out the first two Sundogs batters, and despite two Orioles errors that allowed Tri-County runners aboard, Lennox kept the visitors off the scoreboard.

In the bottom of the first inning, the Orioles quickly took advantage of Tri-County miscues. Gabe Veurink opened with a walk and Jaxson Bittner followed with a bunt single. After Talen Eich was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Cole Spieler lifted a ball to left field that was misplayed, allowing two runs to score. Another Sundogs’ error on a ball hit by Sam Bambas pushed Lennox ahead 3-0.

Lennox added five more runs in the second inning to build a commanding lead. Madix Oltmanns singled to start the frame before Veurink delivered a double to right field. Bittner followed with a two-run single, scoring both Oltmanns and Veurink. Walks by Eich, Spieler and Bambas helped keep the inning alive, while wild pitches and a sacrifice fly by Reischl allowed three additional runs to cross, stretching the Orioles’ lead to 8-0.

Reischl was sharp on the mound early, striking out six batters through the first three innings while allowing no runs. Tri-County managed only one hit through the opening three frames.

Bambas took over pitching duties in the fourth inning and continued the strong effort, recording four strikeouts over his time on the mound. Tri-County broke through in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly by Evan Jorgensen that scored Nolan Hansen, cutting the lead to 8-1.

Lennox answered in the bottom of the sixth. Eich reached after being hit by a pitch, Spieler reached on a fielder’s choice, and Bambas walked. With two runners in scoring position, Justin Butler delivered a two-run single to shortstop to score both runners and extend the Orioles’ advantage to 10-1.

Tri-County added one final run in the seventh inning, but Lennox closed out the victory when Eich recorded the final strikeout.

Bittner led Lennox offensively with two hits and two RBIs, while Veurink scored twice and added a double. Butler drove in two late runs, and Oltmanns added two hits.